NUIG Mystics find timely form

NUIG Mystics have given themselves a huge Christmas bonus after booking a place in the Hula Hoops Women’s National Cup semi-finals in January.

Mystics grabbed a thrilling win over the Portlaoise Panthers on Sunday in Oranmore, edging the contest by 58-52 in overtime.

It is the first time Mystics have beaten the Panthers, having lost just two weeks ago in the league to the midlanders, who finished comfortable 71-52 winners.

However Mystics have found some recent form, boosted by a victory over IT Carlow Basketball on Thursday evening in the preliminary round.

That was a game that also went to overtime, and on Sunday the Galway Super League side also lived on the edge.

“My head is ready to spin off with overtime at this stage," said a relieved head coach Mike Murray after the game.

“That was a massive win for the girls. The league wasn’t going so well for us and we were losing close games, then all of a sudden, we close out two overtime games and we’re in the semi-finals of the Cup so this is huge and I think we deserve to be here, we’ve been working really hard.

“It takes a bit of guts to finish out games like today and our Irish players are really doing the business for us.”

It is a huge boost for NUIG Mystics who have struggled to get off the ground in the women's Super League.